Is a high school switch bad?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I'm a junior in high school, and I know this is the most critical year in terms of college admissions. However, by next year, I'll have exhausted most of my school's academics, and I want to attend a boarding prep school like Choate or Andover. I know it's odd to do a senior year switch, but I feel like it could be beneficial to me, personally and academically. Of course, the problem is with college applications. I'm worried about whether a switch would make applications too difficult, and of course, whether or not top tier colleges would see a switch in a bad light. Is it a good idea, bad idea?</p>

<p>Just a little background on me to give you a picture of what kind of student I am:</p>

<p>3.96 unweighted GPA, rank 17 of 407</p>

<p>SAT I (taken sophomore year, will retake this November): 2100 (600m, 760cr, 740w 12e)</p>

<p>SAT II (sophomore year): french 720, literature 730, U.S. history 740</p>

<p>ACT (sophomore year): 29</p>

<p>AP: U.S. history 5, English Comp 5 (didn't take the class, but got a 5 anyways)</p>

<p>My classes this year are:</p>

<p>AP Government & Politics
AP World History
AP Calculus
AP Biology
CIS Comp (college course through the U of M, the class taken after AP English)
AP Economics
AP French</p>

<p>Additionally, I have played piano for 12 years, achieving a few honors. I work 10hrs/wk at a restaurant and teach 7 piano students. I'm a member of NHS and am co-president of the French Club. I am an avid writer and am compiling my first book, to be published this year.</p>

<p>Do you think I could get into Andover or Choate, and do you think this would ultimately hurt me in the college admissions game, even if I did well there?</p>

2

<p>I also want to know the question to this answer, however mine is different. I go to an expensive private school and may transfer senior year to a public school because of financial issues. Would this look bad?</p>

3

<p>My experience with one-year seniors at Andover is that either they do very well and end up at great schools and really enjoy themselves or they blow up and fail utterly. It's a big risk, but if you can make the transition then the rewards are huge.</p>

4

<p>As for your chances, I can't say for sure. One year seniors tend to be pretty uber; however, I think you should definitely apply.</p>

5

<p>Thanks much. Do you go to Andover, cheesemaster? I'm really debating this whole application thing. I'm usually very good with adapting and making friends, but the gamble is pretty big...not sure I'd want to screw up senior year and get left out of the college game, haha.</p>

6

<p>It's a risk, but based on my (limited) view, I think you ought to give it a shot. If you fail here you're still guaranteed to go to an okay school, but if you succeed, then you'll find many doors opening that beforehand you never knew were there. Plus, I guarantee that in one year at Andover you'll probably learn more then in all your previous years of high school. The resources and opportunities here are second to none.</p>

7

<p>Thanks! :)</p>